| Sumario: | One of the distinguishing marks of British literary culture since the 1970s or so has been the rise of the small, independent publisher. This phenomenon has not merely brought about an increase in the number of books available, but also a significant widening of the areas which small publishers traditionally specialized. Rather than confining themselves to poetry or local history, many of the current generation of small publishers are busy taking over the old mainstream preserves of fiction, politics, and cultural studies. Judging by the lists of some recent newcomers, the output of small publishers is enough to put any commercial publisher to shame. Explanations for the boom in independent publishing; the important role played by independent publishing, especially fiction publishing; the problems faced by writers whose books are published by small firms, in terms of getting their work reviewed; and some of the numerous independent publishers currently operating in Britain are discussed.
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